The Family That Stays Together

I think there is a saying about how "the family that plays together stays together". At Magpie Gemstones, we could write that saying several different ways, but the results would still be positive. Just in case you don't already know, let me tell you about the business.

Magpie Gemstones is the epitome of the family run business. Everyone in the family is involved in some capacity and each person takes his or her role quite seriously. I guess that's why it works. Observing this family business for several year, I am struck most by the their ability to work hard all day and then enjoy one another's company at night. They seem to do a good job of keeping the business in perspective with family life.

Since I've run a cattle business with my husband for the past 13 years, I can truly appreciate how well all those Magpies work and play together. There is just that one thing. During a meeting last week, the youngest Magpie suggested they take more time off, but don't worry, following careful consideration of this suggestion, the elders prevailed and you will still be receiving your orders promptly.

You might want to think about ordering some of the gorgeous pendants made by Clay Genie that just went into the store. Just in case you don't know about this artist, Jean Christen, I enjoyed writing an article about her which you can read at the following address: http://www.magpiegemstones.com/clay_genie.html Magpie Gemstones has stayed with this artist for many years largely due to the fine quality of her work. It is not like that of any other clay artist I've seen.

I also wanted to mention the amazonite that is in the store now. I was particularly inamored with the lovely rondelles and showed them to one of my customers. She also liked the nuggets; so I guess I will be ordering both since "staying together" with my customers makes sense to me.

We hope you will "stay" with Magpie Gemstones and appreciate this family business. I know that the family appreciates the customers!

. . . staying together to serve you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html



Things That Grow

The sun is out and the weather's hot in Texas, but things are thriving at Magpie Gemstones. I snapped this photo yesterday during a meeting at the headquarters. Look at their great garden! Those green plants seem to be quite happy living only a few feet from all the beautiful beads. As I looked at the lush plants, I couldn't help but wonder what critters might lurk beneath those leaves.

Perhaps a turtle would enjoy the shade . . . or . . . I've actually seen the big Magpie cat walking amongst the greenery. We can only imagine other animals that could lounge within this garden.

Although I haven't heard of any bears in these parts, you just never can tell what might show up.

As you can see, I've grabbed photos of some of the wonderful fetishes that are available at Magpie Gemstones. I just wanted to be sure you hadn't missed looking at these on the website. Honestly, when I first examined these I wondered what in the world I would do with them; but years later, I can truthfully say I've used them repeatedly in necklaces, on key and cell phone fobs, for purse charms and many other things. Folks are usually attracted to these creatures and they hold deep meaning for some. Imagine what you might do with them.

While you are looking at the fetishes, take a peek at the new beads that recently went into the store, I think you'll like what you see. Here are just a couple of them.

I hope you will seize the opportunity to grow a few beauties of your own this week. The bead seeds for your garden are ready and waiting at the store.

. . . offering you the joy of growing beautiful things, we are Magpie Gemstones.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

Girls and Pearls

Summer is upon us and with it comes all those summer weddings. Were you a June bride or groom? Mine was a late May wedding as we squeezed it in between college semesters. Tomorrow, I will have had the same roommate for 43 years.

When a bride to be asks me to design something for her weddings, I reach for pearls. These seem to be a standard for perfect wedding necklaces for bride and bride's maids. I remember struggling one year to find enough pearls just alike to make 8 necklace and earring sets for the wedding party. I wish I'd had Magpie Gemstones to call on back then. Have you taken the time to look at the pearls we offer now? If you haven't looked lately, you're in for a pleasant surprise.

Please check out the great variety of pearls that Szarka handpicked for us. Last week, Michelle, a jewelry designer who loves pearls and has a Graduate Pearls Diploma from the Gemology Institute of American (GIA), reviewed a strand of Magpie Gemstone pearls. I think you would appreciate her comments, provided on her blog at http://misheldesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/yummy-pearls-for-review.html#comments  She definitely approved of the Magpie Gemstones pearls.

If you aren't creating wedding jewelry or needing pearls at the moment, you might like the new turquoise hearts that are available. This beauty is 50 mm in size. Wow!

Now that I think about it, I guess that hearts and girls go pretty well together also. Actually, I think a girl or a guy could go for most any of the pearls or gemstones in the Magpie Gemstones store. I'll be visiting online tonight to pick out those perfect beads for the graduation presents that I'm making.

Why don't you do the same and make yourself a present. Go ahead . . . just say that Karen made you do it!

. . . working for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

A Few of My Favorite Things

Although many new beads have recently gone into the store, I particularly wanted to share two of my favorites with you. Magpie Gemstones previously had something similar to these and I have used them repeatedly. The first is orange spiney oyster. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/catalog/item/6181113/8814034.htm I think I've used spiney oyster chips in this color, but these buttons look even more yummy. These are wonderful as a single strand or in a mixed strand with various gemstones. I particularly like this spiney oyster with turquoise, lapis, amethyst or some combination of these. I've also used this mixed with some of the small fetishes available in the store. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/fetish.html.

I also wanted you to see the yellow jade rounds that are in the store. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/catalog/item/5238496/8820196 It's hard to believe the great price on these 8 mm rounds ($2.69), but this allows us to rather inexpensively create something nice with multiple strands. I think you'll find this color works well with a plethora of other gemstones.

One of my favorite design techniques is also featured in a tutorial I just finished that Szarka put online this week. This one takes you on a pictorial journey through riveting. I hope you will find it helpful since it's a technique with which I previously struggled. We hope the tutorial makes the process simpler for you if you haven't already mastered it. Let Rosie provide encouragement. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/rivitinng_cold_connect.html She wouldn't steer you wrong and we won't either!

Finally, here's my MOST favorite thing of the week. FREE BEADS! On May 31, we will have a drawing and give away a $200 shopping spree for Magpie Gemstones. What a deal!!! Look on the website homepage to learn about FREE.

. . . finding things that can become YOUR favorites, we are Magpie Gemstones.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

What's a Picture Worth?

Answering the title question, you may be thinking a picture is worth "a thousand words". I could spend many words telling you about the beautiful new beads that went into the store this week, but how about a couple of pictures?

These are topaz Swiss blue cabachons and I think the color is outstanding. They make me want to burst into song about blue. Let's see; isn't there one about being blue because somebody left?

Enough of that . . . I guess the next question for today's blog entry should be "what's worth more than a picture?" Think about it . . .

The informative articles we add to the website from time to time are usually predominantly words and provide as many pictures as possible. This week, however, Szarka answered the above question regarding what might be worth even more than a picture by saying "a video!" We hope you enjoy watching and learning how to make your own earwires in the video she made.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/earwiretutorial.html

Now I'm wondering if we need another question. "What's worth more than a video?" Regrettably, I think the answer to this one would require a personal visit to your home from Magpie Gemstones. Some of you live so far away that a visit would take weeks and then who would fill the orders for our other customers? Alas, we're doing the best we can with words, pictures and the occasional video.

. . . doing all we can for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

Happy Day

If you happen to be reading this on Mother's Day, we wish you a happy one. We've not only been celebrating Mother's Day, but also a birthday this week. Gibby added another year to his counting. We gals are glad to have him around to help keep us on track. Thanks Gibby!

Can I make your day a little happier by showing you just a couple of pictures of new beads that went in the store last week? One of my favorites in the mookaite shown below.

I grabbed a strand of these as fast as I could and made the necklace to the right. Perhaps it will help you visualize what you might do with them. By the way, we'd love to see what you do with any of the Magpie beads. Why not send us a photo?

I just realized there are also some mookaite cabs in the store. Hmm . . . my happy day will be when I get some of those!

You might also like the Titanium Druzy Cabs that are new this week.

Wouldn't the one on the right look fantastic wrapped in silver wire?

We appreciated the many comments you sent us about the patina article last week. This writer, in particular, likes to know what you think and whether or not you like a particular article. Although Szarka has given me a substantial list based on your comments and questions, I'd enjoy knowing if you have suggestions for others? Please send them our way.

. . . wishing you a Happy Day, we are Magpie Gemstones.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

Moving Along

We've certainly moved along into the dry, warm season here in central Texas. The garden behind Magpie Gemstones would be happier if it would rain, but the store dog, Sandy, is having a great time keeping the opossums out of the yard. I think she's on a real mission! The score is Sandy = 3, oppossums = ?

I caught up with Kateri at the Magpie Gemstones booth at the San Antonio show yesterday. My feet were already hurting from walking around, yet she was full of energy and spunk, working with one customer after the next. It was fun to watch her help one in particular match a pair of earrings to stones for making a necklace. Kateri really knows her stuff! I think this woman smiles all the time!

I'm smiling too this week because I finally finished the patina article that I've worked on for some time. I hope you will grab some time to look it over and add your comments. www.magpiegemstones.com/copper_patina.html

Do you watch for emails and Facebook updates from Szarka as new things go into the store? Last week, some new cabs went in and before I could even get my order finished, the ones I wanted had been sold. Take a peek at a couple of the new things that went in recently and see what you need. The photo on the right shows a sample of the new iolite beads. The color on these is quite stunning. The second photo shows the titanian infused drusy cabs. I'm wrapping one of these in silver. There are plenty of other goodies; why not move along and take a look at the other new beads in the store?

For now, I'm moving along to finish wrapping that cab and

. . . Magpie Gemstones is moving along to serve your design needs.


http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

Hop to It

Happy Easter to everyone. Are you tempted by all that candy reaching out to you in the stores. I've been trying to look the other way, but once in a while some of the chocolate just hops right in my shopping cart.



I hope you have successfully hopped into the Spring jewelry making season. It seems like summer here in central Texas with 90 degree temperature some days, but people are still buying their Spring fashions. The boutiques here know that once those folks get home with new clothes, they'll need to hop back in and get some great jewelry to go with their fashions. It's a good time for those of us who sell jewelry to have plenty available. One of my favorite ways to start designing jewelry is to begin by viewing the new clothing in the stores. It's also a nice way to be assured of what color combinations are hot right now. Then I can go right on line to Magpie Gemstones and find beads to match.

Kateria was pleased to see so many people who came out to the show in Alpine, Texas last week. Thanks to all of you. Central and South Texans have a chance to hop on over this coming weekend for the San Antonio Bead and Ornament Society show. This will be April 30-May 1 at the Live Oak Center in Live Oak, Texas on the outskirts of San Antonio.

I hope the Easter Bunny brings you lots of colorful beads for your designs. If not, you know where to find us.

. . . hopping to fill your design needs, we are Magpie Gemstones.

It's Free

I hope the title caught your eye and that your mind didn't ask "what's the catch?" Perhaps you have gotten a phone call from some establishment assuring you that you've just won a "!!!. . . ! . !". If you are like me, you've probably wished the person on the other end would just get to the part where they say what they are really trying to sell you. This isn't that type of deal. If Magpie Gemstones says "FREE", it really is. Just go to http://www.beadinggem.com/2011/04/magpie-gemstones-fabulous-145.html. The company is offering a beautiful tourmaline strand and a tourmaline cabachon to some lucky winner. Look at the photo below and you'll see why I've been coveting these beads. Don't you think that's OK until they leave home and go to the winner.

If you want to be in the drawing to win these, just make a comment at the bottom of the blog about the give away at the Beading Gems address above.

Here's another heads up that may interest you. Magpie Gemstones owner, Szarka, was interviewed by She Inspires, an Australia based company that, among other things, shares information about entrepreneurs and their business practices. Even though I've known Szarka for several years, I learned a great deal about the principles upon which the business is formed from this article. It made me feel good about where I buy my beads. If you want to see the article, it's posted on the website at www.magpiegemstones.com/masterclass.html. By the way, you can read it for FREE!

Family wise, a whole passel of relatives from Washington state showed up here a couple of days ago. I think instead of stocking new beads, one day was spent feeding the masses. (I just stayed out of the way!) It's good to have even a small break, but things are mostly back to normal now unless you want to come by and help put things back in order. You could do that for FREE too!

If you hurry, you still have time to plan a trip to Alpine in west Texas and visit Kateri at this week's bead show. The dates are April 15-17 and you can check the website for further information www.magpiegemstones.com/shows.html. It's FREE to talk to Kateri, but you better get started driving right now.

We just put a new article about coral on the website if you have interest in that topic. This one largely pertains the deterioration of the coral reefs. www.magpiegemstones.com/should_we_buy_coral.html. I'll bet that by now you have realized that reading this treatise is also FREE!

. . . still working for you (and providing FREE stuff), we are Magpie Gemstones.

This and That

This has been a nice normal week at Magpie Gemstones, except for that birthday party involving six little girls and a sleep over. I've never fully understood why it's a "SLEEP" over.

We've been taking pictures of new beads, writing their descriptions, pricing them at something fair for you, and getting them online. One of the new items is this gorgeous malachite oval bead. Every day we fill orders and rush to the post office so you can get your beads as expediently as possible. How are we doing?

One challenge for Szarka this week has been creating a rosary for a jewelry customer. I believe that learning and creative thinking have come together in this piece. It isn't quite finished, but I thought you would enjoy seeing it at this stage. I, for one, like getting my beads from someone who is actively involved in the design and creation process.

One of the things I like best about our Magpie owner's designs is her attitude about sharing. Szarka says we can copy her work shamelessly and she kindly shares with us as we do with her in the client's blog (www.turquoisemagpie.blogspot.com/) Through this exchange we all get better. It's a nice community atmosphere in which to work.

Speaking of work, I hope that you have had a chance to read the article I wrote about Lead in Jewelry. (www.magpiegemstones.com/lead_content_in_jewelry.htm) I wasn't overly interested in the topic when I initiated the article, but quickly realized that I should be paying attention. I knew that lead was a definite issue in children's toys, but knew less about its presence in jewelry. I certainly would not want my jewelry to cause a health problem for anyone and I'm thinking we all need to look after each other. Once again, it all goes back to buying from an honest bead supplier and trusting that company to look after business. Looking after business has to go past the green dollar and into caring about customers. Hmm . . . wonder if I know any company like that . . .? Hint, hint, the name initials are MG - tweet, tweet.

. . . still looking out for you, we are Magpie Gemstones

Growing Up

It's hard to believe that magpiegemstones.com is just a youngster. The online business started a mere 4 years ago. Although it's not the companies' birthday, the littlest magpie is moving into double digits with her special day this week. Happy Birthday Tera!

By the way, she's the real gem and the one on the left in the photo. That's Sandy Magpie beside her. Sandy provides special accoustical accompaniment if you knock on the door at the worksite. I try not to have to knock!


Speaking of "other" Magpie pearls, I think you could say it's the birthday for many strands of them this week also. Some of the newer ones include these girls. Look at the pearl page online to see all the colors available at really good values. One of my jewelry customers always wants gemstones with pearls and the beavy of pearls available at Magpie right now has been a big help.


Did you read the article "All Pearls Are Not Created Equal" posted a couple of weeks ago. It was very interesting to write and I hope you find it informative. It certainly made me appreciate pearls that much more. Take a look and see how pearls have really grown up. By the way, there are other kinds of new beads also.

Part of growing up seems to be balancing family, friends and business. The beautiful Spring weather here in Texas brings that to the forefront with outdoor activities in full bloom. Don't worry, though, we're tending to business before we tend the garden and you will get your beads on time.

Growing up and working for you, we're Magpie Gemstones.

Keeping Up

It seems as though every person I've talked with in the last few days has been running. No, not the kind of running that keeps you fit, but the kind of running you do when you're trying to catch up with yourself. Maybe you have children and are trying to juggle all the school activities while maintaining some semblance of your jewelry making. Perhaps your customers have suddenly realized it really is Spring and they need new jewelry to perk them up. There's also the possibility that all manner of other activities have you running hither and yon.

Here at Magpie Gemstones, we feel like we've been running too. As I write this blog entry, I really wanted to show you the new stones that are going into the store, but I can't keep up. Every time I think I know just which pictures to show you, owner, Szarka, puts in more beauties and I'm afraid to show them to you for fear they will disappear before you read this. That's how fast things are moving around here. So, if you want some of the new stones, put your running shoes on and trot to the website to grab some. Here are just a very few of the new beauties. They are apatite, lemon quartz and multicolored spiney oyster, from left to right.

You might also need your running shoes to race on out to Alpine, Texas in April. Kateri will be there in a booth loaded with gemstones for your viewing pleasure. The date is April 15 and you can come and celebrate the completion of your taxes with Magpie Gemstones.

I hope you realize that Szarka isn't just the owner of Magpie Gemstones, but is also a jewelry artist. I think that must be why she is able to acquire what we need for our own designs. Lately, she has keep quite busy with her own jewelry orders and I've been able to grab some inspiration from the photos she displays. It's neat that she always encourages us to shamelessly copy her work. Hmm . . . I don't recall every being told that before. Oh well, things are just really different around this business. You can see her work at http://www.szarkas.com/ Also, I hope you enjoy seeing the client blog wherein we find pictures of jewelry designed with gemstones from this store and submitted for posting by clients like you. http://www.turquoisemagpie.blogspot.com/

It's late in the evening as I finish this post, but in the morning, let's put on our running shoes and I'll race you to the corner. I've got to stay in shape to keep up around here!

Remember, we're all running and working for you at Magpie Gemstones!

Spring Swimming

"Too cold for swimming?" No, not really. It's Spring! The birds are singing. The flowers and trees are budding. The pollen is flying and Magpie Gemstones is swimming in beads. So come on in, the water is fine!

As you know from last week's Tick Tock post, Magpie owner, Szarka, has been gone and has just returned from a big buying trip. This was a really, truly B I G buying trip. After a full week of anticipating her return from the trip, I then had to wait again for the beads to arrive. When the truck containing them got here, I thought the boxes would never stop coming out of it.There were 1100 pounds of beauties. Yesterday, I had an opportunity to finally see what came in the boxes and let me tell you, it was pretty cool! I wish I had a video to show you what I saw, but then you would have to listen to all my oohs and aahs as each bag of beads was opened. They were gorgeous - simply gorgeous and there was an excellent range of colors, types, sizes and prices. I think Szarka found something for each of us and this has left the entire staff swimming in beads. The photos display a mere a smidgen of what awaits us when the beads make their way into the Magpie store.

Are you drooling yet? My mind keeps racing back to the gemstones I saw and the myriad of opportunities they hold for making beautiful pieces of jewelry. I guess that means I'm just going to have to start that "tick, tock" again as I wait for the beads to show up on line. All I can say is I hope the staff can "work harder FASTER" so we customers can also be swimming in beads.

. . . still working for you, we are Magpie Gemstones.

Tick, Tock . . .

I'm just sitting around waiting for Magpie owner, Szarka, to return from this week's buying trip in Los Angeles. Her facebook page has tempted us with a few of the goodies that she has acquired, but I want to get the whole story. It's always exciting to learn about the finds from these trips, but it does mean a rush at the job. For example, once the gemstones and other goodies arrives, they don't just hop right into the store. Everyone has their own job pertaining to the new beads and this can mean anything from completing the inventory, photoing the loot to writing the descriptions and getting them onto a webpage in the store. Whew, it's times like this that I'm glad I'm only the writer!

Have you looked at the green kyanite that is in the store now? It's a great color for this Spring when everything seems to be sporting at least a touch of green.

I worked with some Magpie blue kyanite last night and am ready to grab some of the green. You can see the beautiful blue kyanite creations of Bead Spirit Designs on the customer's blog at http://www.turquoisemagpie.blogspot.com/. My customers like kyanite largely due to the muted colors and because it has such a different look to the other gemstones. The more I write about it, the more I know that I'd better go get that green!

All is well on the home front this week where we find Mapie husband recovering nicely from his recent heart attack and everyone else holding their own. We hope you and yours are doing the same.

. . . still working for you at Magpie Gemstones.

Exciting Week

If you have been reading the recent blog entries here, you have probably realized that I'm (Dr. Karen) writing for Szarka, allowing her more time to get all those great beads where we can all see them in her store. Since I'm not an owner, I am free to do a bit of bragging on the way things work at Magpie Gemstones.

(Come read about all of us if you have time. Our bios just went up on the site. We would love to meet you.)



As you may know Gibby, Szarka's hubby, who is home and doing well now, had a heart attack last week. I'm not telling you this to gain sympathy, but to remark about the fact that the business continued to flow perfectly even in time of difficulty.

Szarka obviously spent considerable time at the hospitol, yet she managed to keep facebook posts and newsletters going while Kateri diligently got our orders out and off to the mail on time. If I hadn't been privy to a phone call, I wouldn't have known what was going on. Kateria even got away to do a gem show in Pasadena, Texas, last weekend as Szarka returned to fill orders. A good working business stays oiled and moving even if something tries to upset the machine.

OK, that's enough accolades for one post. What about the beads? Have you seen the new azurite that just went into the store? I have to get some of them because I think they will work well mixed with the Spring colors or standing alone.

You might enjoy looking at the new article that just went onto the site this week. It pertains to what you might do if your muse leaves home and you are left without design ideas. The title is Generating Jewelry Ideas by Making Connections. The manner in which the article suggests you generate ideas may seem a bit farfetched, but I can assure you it works if you give it a chance. We'd enjoy seeing what you come up with.

Speaking of "what you come up with", we would also enjoy seeing pictures of your pretties and putting them in the Magpie Gemstones client's blog. You can send those to turquoisemagpie@hotmail.com. The client's blog is another good place to help you generate ideas. Something you see there can inspire a design of your own. Many clients also sell their work from there. It's great exposure and your get a link pointing to your site.

Until next time, we're working hard for you at Magpie Gemstones.